Job prospects Optometrist in Ontario

Explore current and future job prospects for people working as an "optometrist" in Ontario or across Canada.

Job opportunities in Ontario

These outlooks were updated on December 11, 2024.

Prospects over the next 3 years

The employment outlook will be very good for Optometrists (NOC 31111) in Ontario for the 2024-2026 period.

The following factors contributed to this outlook:

• Employment growth will lead to several new positions.
• Several positions will become available due to retirements.
• There are a small number of unemployed workers with recent experience in this occupation.

What Types of Employers Are Out There?

• The majority of optometrists are self employed in a private or group practice

What are the Main Trends Affecting Employment?

• Demand for optometry services is influenced by population growth, insurance coverage, and the need for eye care and vision correction services
• The aging population is expected to increase the demand for optometry services to treat and manage age-related ocular diseases and vision correction needs  

What Skills Do I Need to Succeed?

• The College of Optometrists of Ontario regulates the optometry profession. To practise optometry in Ontario, one must hold a certificate of registration (licence) issued by the College

What Other Information Will I Find Helpful?

• In general, Bridging Programs are available to assist internationally trained professionals in various fields enter the labour market more quickly in Ontario.

Here are some key facts about Optometrists in Ontario:

• Approximately 5,350 people work in this occupation.
• Optometrists mainly work in the following sectors:
  • Ambulatory health care services (NAICS 621): more than 95%
• The distribution of full-time and part-time workers in this occupation is:
  • Full-time workers: 78% compared to 81% for all occupations
  • Part-time workers: 22% compared to 19% for all occupations
• 33% of optometrists work all year, while 67% work only part of the year, compared to 63% and 37% respectively among all occupations. Those who worked only part of the year did so for an average of 41 weeks compared to 43 weeks for all occupations.
• 87% of optometrists are self-employed compared to an average of 15% for all occupations.
• The gender distribution of people in this occupation is:
  • Men: 41% compared to 52% for all occupations
  • Women: 59% compared to 48% for all occupations
• The educational attainment of workers in this occupation is:
  • no high school diploma: n/a
  • high school diploma or equivalent: n/a
  • apprenticeship or trades certificate or diploma: n/a
  • college certificate or diploma or university certificate below bachelor's: n/a
  • bachelor's degree: n/a
  • university certificate, degree or diploma above bachelor level: more than 95% compared to 13% for all occupations

Breakdown by region

Explore job prospects in Ontario by economic region.

Source Labour Market Information | Prospects Methodology

Job prospects elsewhere in Canada

Explore current and future job prospects for people working as an "optometrist" in Ontario or across Canada.

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